Researchers from the LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG) have sequenced the entire genome of the raccoon dog for the first time and found genetic evidence that it can transmit SARS-CoV-2. The fox relative, native to East Asia, has spread widely in Europe and is classified as an invasive species in Germany. It is well known that it can carry various viruses and infect humans with them. The study suggests that the raccoon dog may also be a reservoir host for coronaviruses. The article was published in the journal Frontiers in Genetics.
Publication:
Luis J. Chueca, Judith Kochmann, Tilman Schell, Carola Greve, Axel Janke, Markus Pfenninger, Sven Klimpel: „De novo genome assembly of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides)”Frontiers in Genetics, Volume 12/2021
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.658256
ISSN: 1664-8021